Michelle Obama to discuss 'values that drive my husband'

CHARLOTTE -- First lady Michelle Obama says she will use tonight's speech to the Democratic convention to discuss where President Obama has been and where he is going.

"I am going to remind people about the values that drive my husband to do what he has done and what he is going to do for the next four years," the first lady told SiriusXM radio host Joe Madison.

"I am going to take folks back to the man that he was before he was president," she said, "because the truth is that he has grown so much -- but in terms of his core character and values, that has not been changed at all."

She is expected to start speaking around 10:35 p.m. ET.

The first lady says she will also talk about "the policy decisions" President Obama has made:

"Making sure (and) fighting hard to make sure that we get health care reform ... bringing wars to an end, focusing our economic recovery on the middle class, working class folks, tax cuts for those families and for small businesses ... making sure that kids can afford college without a mountain of debt. Making sure there is more student aid for college students, and low interest rates so they are not mired in debt."

There might also be some politics involved.

Obama told Madison she is "ready for this convention, ready to win this election. I am pretty fired up."

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About David Jackson

David's journalism career spans three decades, including coverage of five presidential elections, the Oklahoma City bombing, the 2000 Florida presidential recount and the 9/11 terrorist attacks. He has covered the White House for USA TODAY since 2005. His interests include history, politics, books, movies and college football -- not necessarily in that order. More about David